Abstract
Background:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with reduced cardiopulmonary function, decreased aerobic capacity, and increased respiratory complications. Effective non-pharmacological interventions are essential to improve exercise tolerance and overall health in diabetic individuals.
Objective:
To evaluate the effectiveness of intercostal stretching techniques combined with aerobic dance exercises on VO₂ max and chest tightness in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 30 male participants, aged 30-50 years, with T2DM were enrolled in a 12-week intervention involving intercostal stretching and aerobic dance exercises for 60 minutes, —three to five days per week. Pre- and post-intervention assessments of VO₂ max (mL/kg/min) and chest tightness (modified Borg dyspnea scale) were performed using spirometry and standardized scales. Paired t-tests were conducted to analyze the differences.
Results:
Post-intervention analysis revealed a significant increase in VO₂ max (mean difference = 13.4 ± 5.577, t = 13.159, P < 0.001) and a significant reduction in chest tightness scores (mean difference = 2.233 ± 1.524, t = 8.025, P < 0.001). These improvements were statistically highly significant compared to the critical t-value (2.15) at 29 degrees of freedom.
Conclusion:
The combination of intercostal stretching and aerobic dance significantly enhanced cardiopulmonary function, increased VO₂ max, and reduced respiratory discomfort in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These findings support the integration of such exercise protocols into diabetes management programs to improve functional capacity and quality of life.
Keywords: Aerobic dance, cardiopulmonary function, chest tightness, intercostal stretching, type 2 diabetes mellitus, VO₂ max
INTRODUCTION
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by inadequate control of blood glucose levels, leading to complications, such as cardiovascular disease and respiratory issues. There are two main types: type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and insufficient insulin production, resulting in hyperglycemia and high blood sugar levels. This condition impairs cardiovascular function, reduces exercise capacity, and increases the risk of cardiovascular complications. People with type 2 diabetes often have lower exercise tolerance and reduced aerobic capacity, leading to fatigue and reduced ability to perform physical activities.[1]
Aerobic dance can improve breathing capacity, heart rate, lung capacity, and strength, reducing the risk of heart diseases and hypertension. Regular aerobic exercise can increase energy levels, reduce fatigue, and improve sleep patterns.[2] Intercostal stretching techniques can enhance lung function and respiratory efficiency, especially for diabetics. These exercises promote relaxation and reduce stress levels, which is crucial for diabetes management.[3] Incorporating intercostal stretches into a regular exercise routine can improve overall health outcomes for diabetic patients.[4]
In summary, conducting a study on the impact of intercostal stretch technique and core aerobic dance on cardiorespiratory fitness in diabetic patients addresses a critical gap in current knowledge and has the potential to improve both clinical outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with diabetes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study involved 30 male participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 30–50 years, who were given 60 minutes of training for three to five days per week for a 12-week period. The participants were provided with proper instructions, comfort, and psychological support through intercostal stretching technique and aerobic dance exercise. The technique was applied twice daily, with a 10-minute warm-up and stretching exercises to maintain consistency. The aerobic program consisted of four different dancing patterns, each lasting five minutes, and 20 minutes of continuous aerobic dance activities. Participants were excluded from the study if they had other comorbidities or had a history of retinopathy or infections. The participants also provided written informed consent.
RESULT
A total of 30 male participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged between 30 and 40 years, were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent a combined intervention comprising intercostal stretching techniques and aerobic dance exercises. The outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention using spirometry for VO₂ max and the modified Borg dyspnea scale for chest tightness.
Descriptive statistics revealed that the mean difference in VO₂ max (mL/kg/min) after the intervention was 13.4 with a standard deviation of 5.577, while the mean reduction in chest tightness score was 2.233 with a standard deviation of 1.524 [Table 1].
Table 1.
Descriptive statistics of VO2 max and chest tightness before and after intervention (n=30)
| Outcome measure | Mean difference | Standard deviation (SD) | Assessment tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| VO2 max (mL/kg/min) | 13.4 | 5.577 | Spirometry |
| Chest tightness (score) | 2.233 | 1.524 | Modified Borg dyspnea scale |
The bar chart illustrates the mean pre- and post-intervention values of VO₂ max (ml/kg/min) and chest tightness scores among the study participants. Following the intercostal stretching and aerobic dance intervention, the mean VO₂ max increased significantly from 10.0 to 23.4, indicating improved oxygen uptake capacity [Figure 1]. Concurrently, the mean chest tightness score decreased from 4.0 to 1.77, reflecting a reduction in perceived dyspnea. The visual representation supports the statistically significant improvements observed in both outcome measures, as shown in Tables 1 and 2.
Figure 1.
Comparison of pre-test and post-test mean values for VO2 max and chest tightness
Table 2.
Paired t-test results for VO2 max and chest tightness after intervention
| Outcome measure | Calculated t | Degrees of freedom (df) | Critical t (P<0.05) | P | Statistical significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VO2 Max (mL/kg/min) |
13.159 | 29 | 2.15 | <0.001 | Highly significant |
| Chest tightness (score) | 8.025 | 29 | 2.15 | <0.001 | Highly significant |
Paired t-test analysis demonstrated statistically significant improvements in both parameters. The calculated t-value for VO₂ max was 13.159 and for chest tightness was 8.025. Both values exceeded the critical t-value of 2.15 at 29 degrees of freedom (df) and a significance level of P < 0.05, with corresponding P values < 0.001, indicating highly significant differences post-intervention [Table 2].
These findings suggest that the combined application of intercostal stretching and aerobic dance exercises significantly improved oxygen consumption capacity (VO₂ max) and reduced subjective chest tightness among male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
DISCUSSION
The study examined the impact of intercostal stretch technique and aerobic dance exercise on type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Results showed that both techniques improved lung capacity, cardiovascular health, and endurance, while aerobic dance improved muscle endurance and metabolic function.
The study focuses on the effects of the intercostal stretch technique and core conditioning exercises on cardiopulmonary function in diabetic patients. The results suggest that both interventions can improve respiratory function in this population, with the intercostal stretch technique showing superior results. The study also found that intercostal stretching with breathing control was more effective in improving dynamic lung parameters.[5]
Aerobic dance training, performed 30–45 min, three days·per week–one for 10 weeks, significantly improved physical work capacity and cardiovascular function in sedentary middle-aged women.[6] The 12-week low-impact aerobic dance group improved significantly on all functional fitness components except motor control/coordination, including cardio respiratory endurance, strength/endurance, body agility, flexibility, body fat, and balance. Regular aerobic exercise is related to better cardiorespiratory efficiency and good pulmonary function.[7]
The six weeks of aerobic dance training had significant effects on the cardiovascular fitness and body composition of the experimental group. Participants in the aerobic dance training program improved their VO2 max level, reduced their BMI, WHR reading, and reduced their percentage of body fat compared to the control group who did not participate in the aerobic dance training program. Overall, the study provides preliminary evidence that the intercostal stretch technique is an effective treatment parameter for improving cardiopulmonary function in diabetic patients.[8]
CONCLUSION
The study found that the intercostal stretch technique and aerobic dance exercise significantly improved chest expansion, VO2 max, and cardiorespiratory fitness in male type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. These exercises also improved lung function, exercise capacity, endurance, health status, mental status, and cardiorespiratory fitness.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this study.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank all the patients who have taken part in this study. We would also like to thank the research and medical staff for their cooperation and help during the study.
Funding Statement
This study received no specific funding.
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